Renee Valdov - CMO
Renee manages the day-to-day activities involving the marketing and branding of Botanica Gardens and Chris H. Olsen. She is directly involved with the scheduling of upcoming appearances, the marketing of Botanica Gardens in all forms of media and the development of new placements for Botanica Gardens in local and national media. Renee is an instrumental part of the Botanica team and has worked hard to bring Botanica Garden's own Chris Olsen to the national scene - with his Today's Home segments now airing across the United States.
If you have any marketing requests or potential speaking engagements please email Renee at rmv516@gmail.com
Janet Warlick - Staff Photographer
Janet Warlick is a seasoned commercial photographer who began her career as a photojournalist for the Associated Press. She expanded those skills to include all aspects of photography and especially enjoys shooting lifestyle and editorial assignments. Her work has appeared in national and regional publications and worked with Chris H. Olsen on his first book, Five Seasons. When Janet is not working with cameras, she enjoys sailing and exploring the outdoors with her dogs, Canon and Nikon, and buddy Joe.
Joe Smith - Chief Photography Assistant
Little Rock videographer, Joe Smith, has been working in video as well as still photography his entire professional life. An avid sailor and barbeque chef, Joe brings considerable expertise in lighting and sound to every shoot. Joe's enthusiasm is contagious and he enjoys a challenge.
Scott Romine - Videographer and Webmaster
North Little Rock native Scott Romine took over webmaster duties for Botanica Gardens back in 2005. Chris Olsen and Scott Romine created the very first "pilot version" of "Today's Home" for KTHV - which lead to the weekly Home and Garden segments airing to this day. Chris brings the topics and the on-camera talent - and Scott handles the technical aspects and the editing. Check out the Todays Home segments here.
Scott's background includes Law Enforcement and he is actually an FBI trained Forensic Video Investigator. Apart from "Today's Home" - Scott has also produced video pilots and segments with Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), John Schneider (Smallville), James Best (Dukes of Hazzard) and Bob Eubanks (NewlyWed Game). He is currently editing behind-the-scenes segments from a movie filmed in Hollywood coming to DVD in 2012.
MEET THE BOTANICA STAFF . . .
Pat Isbell: Nursery Manager
What keeps the garden center looking great and running smoothly is Pat. She is the nursery and office manager. Somebody has to keep Chris in line and she does her job well. Pat is very sharp, determined, persistent, and a tough business person. She is also very sweet. Pat obtained a Business Degree from the University of Central Arkansas and retired after 27 years with SBC/Cingular Wireless. Pat assists in running the day to day operations, customer relations and billing, as well as helping with custom pot design. Pat is the momma to our shop mascot Izzy. She says she is retired, but not anymore thanks to Chris…..Botanica would not be the same without our Momma Pat as the staff at Botanica calls her so affectingly.
Judy Bradsher - Gardening has been Judy's passion ever since her mother gave her space in the family vegetable garden at five years old. Judy retired, (after 32 years), from Southwestern Bell in 2000. In 2011 boredom had set in, and Judy went to work as a sales rep for a wholesale nursery that serviced Home Depot stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. When the nursery sold to a competitor in the fall of 2011 - Judy "retired again".
Judy is delighted and honored to join the Botanica family. She has known and been a fan of Chris Olsen's for years. She looks forward to great fun in her "third career".
Angie Sunderman: Sales and Design Associate
Angie came to us from another local garden center and has really added alot to our store. She has obtained an Art Degree with a Masters in education at UALR. Angie is totally in charge of the indoor section of our great store and is one of our top designers in potted containers and silk arrangements. A personal relationship with art, love of plants, and our customers is what makes Angie crucial to Botanica Gardens.
Joe Church: Sales and General Operations
Joe has become so important to the everyday operations of our store. He definitely is a multi-tasker. He opens the store, waters all outdoor plants, our number one truck driver and deliver person, is a great salesperson and even works sometimes on our landscape crews. You can call him "Jo Jo" as Chris calls him. Joe has become our "go-to" man for everything we do here. He even helps out on our Christmas crew and has earned the honorable name of "Glitter Boy two". Chris is "Glitter Boy" number one…
Ferdrico Martinez- Irrigation, Landscape and Lighting Expert
Federico is one hard worker. He is an on the job foreman who loves to work along side his landscape crew. He is extremely knowledgeable in irrigation and equally in lighting. Federico runs the crew that does all this and so much more. He also installs most of our hardscapes such as retaining walls, patios, and stone or brick columns and fencing. Extremely conscientious, Federico is a major asset to the Botanica's landscape team.
Vicki Henderson and Nina Davis- Maintenance Crew Managers
If you want to keep your landscape looking its best, then you need to hire Botanica Gardens to maintain your investment. Vicki and Nina are masters in making your yard look like a beautiful paradise all year long. With years experience, this crew is the best in Arkansas. Trained by Chris Olsen over the past 18 years, Vicki and Nina are the only maintenance crew that Chris trusts with his own yard. Besides mowing and blowing, this crew specializes in the details. From seasonal color design and installation to trimming your trees and shrubs, and weeding your flowerbeds, these master artists are simply the best.
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